Nevermind

It's never gonna happen--especially since Ilitch would have to pay a lot of real dollars for this to happen--but if you guys were GM, would you buy out Franzen? Sorry if this doesn't warrant its own topic. I thought Franzen played great late in the regular season, and really thought it would carry over into the playoffs. It just didn't though--and that put a lot of extra pressure of Pavel and Hank. As frustrating as he is, he still scores goals for a reasonable cap hit ($3.955 million for 7 more years). So, personally, I don't see the value in buying him out. We're not going to replace his production for that money. If only someone could just light a fire under him (I heard he was smiling in the handshake line tonight; if true, that's quite disconcerting). I just hate the questionable effort.

Hockey is turning into a bore?

Patrice Bergeron is my favorite non-Wings player.

Franzen isn't going anywhere obviously. But it's sort of nice to see management is frustrated with his inconsistent effort as well. http://www.foxsportsdetroit.com/nhl/detroit-red-wings/story/Franzen-is-here-to-stay--for-now?blockID=908837&feedID=3701 The article also makes it seem like the Wings are pretty sure that Franzen can be traded once his actual salary comes down.

For our team, "Hakan Andersson and Co. Prospects" may be more accurate.

Not true. 09-10: $5.5M 10-11: $5M 11-12: $5.25M 12-13: $5.25M 13-14: $5M 14-15: $5M 15-16: $5M 16-17: $3.5M 17-18: $2M 18-19: $1M 19-20: $1M So there indeed would be a "cap advantage" penalty.

Nyquist and Andersson would be like adding two top-line forwards for them.

Great playoff performer too. Unlike Fil though, not very good defensively. I'd give him a one-year contract if he gets bought out. But some other team will probably offer more money/term.

I'd be pretty happy with the guy on the left side too.

From the replay, it didn't look on purpose at all. So I guess he'd rather be known for embellishing than for stickhandling badly?

I was born in '91...so I wouldn't know. But I'm really curious, what was your take on Lidstrom when he came into the league? I find it hard to believe he didn't look like a very, very smart player--even in his rookie year.

Why? Will Smith be the lucky recipient of a brain transplant? Some defensemen just think the game better than others. DeKeyser looks like one of those types. So while he might stumble next year like you say, he still clearly has a fundamental understanding of the defensive side of the game. Smith hasn't really shown that at any level--and he doesn't produce like Letang or Karlsson either.

How could you forget Derian Hatcher?

Howard did look pretty unraveled before the shot, but I agree that he's earned some slack. Besides, he's not a robot. I'd be pretty pissed off after that call too.

Well I think he's rotten.

I'd put him in if there's no risk of further damage to this thumb. Then again, Smith's defensive play is further damage in itself.

If only Smith opened his eyes too...

Even with no hands at all, he's still better than Smith defensively.

Especially if you live here in Chicago.

Not this much.

Scratch Eaves

Is the Zamboni okay? But nice of him to show his support.

I don't know. But surely we're no "Hawkeytown".

I see what he's trying to say, but it just came across badly. Datsyuk may look flashy a lot, but it's a result of hard work more than God-given talent IMO. Just because he makes it look easy during games doesn't mean it's not a result of years of hard work in practice. The comment works a lot better for Zetterberg though, since he's no where near as flashy as Datsyuk. Z's a guy who's not the greatest skater, isn't very big, and doesn't have the greatest shot. Yet, he still dominates because of his incredible work ethic and hockey sense. Then again, I think a lot of this is true with Pavel as well, which is what Healy probably meant.

Exactly. I was about to post the very same thing.